The author whose boundless imagination and storytelling powers have redefined the horror genre, from 1974’s Carrie to his new epic Under the Dome, reflects on the very nature of terror—what scares us and why—in films (both cheesy and choice), television and radio, and, of course, the horror novel, past and present.

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Publisher's Summary

From the author of dozens of number-one New York Times best sellers and the creator of many unforgettable movies comes a vivid, intelligent, and nostalgic journey through three decades of horror as experienced through the eyes of the most popular writer in the genre.

In 1981, years before he sat down to tackle On Writing, Stephen King decided to address the topic of what makes horror horrifying and what makes terror terrifying. Here, in 10 brilliant chapters, King delivers one colorful observation after another about the great stories, books, and films that comprise the horror genre—from Frankenstein and Dracula to The Exorcist, The Twilight Zone, and Earth vs. The Flying Sacuers.

With the insight and good humor his fans appreciated in On Writing, Danse Macabre is an enjoyable entertaining tour through Stephen King’s beloved world of horror.

I didn't even stop to consider whether buying Danse Macabre would be a good idea or not. Of course it would! It's a book I've loved for years, now in audiobook format, so I don't have to dig around for my old, crumbling copy! I can even share it with my friends!

But he's got a voice for silent movies. His delivery is just so contrived and obnoxious. He doesn't sound like he's reading a book; it's more like he's some cartoon character trying to pretend to be human in a bid to escape his animated purgatory for our world.

He sounds like if someone took Rob Schneider and stuffed him full of bees. This is state-of-the-art in offensively annoying.

I hated every second. And the friends I thought to share it with? They made it about five minutes before begging me to shut it off.

The main fault of this book is that it's messy. King doesn't seem to be able to maintain a consistant theme. The book shoots from point to point, anecdote to anecdote, seemingly as they occur to the author.
Fortunately, much of what King has to say is interesting. Some of it, sadly, is the kind of grad-school BS he decries.

There is one instance of the word "zestful" in this book. Steve, you liar! You swore in "on writing" that you had been innoculated against the use of this word due to a bad science fiction book. WTF.
However, despite this injustice, this is a consistently fun and thought provoking meander through the ideas of horror and what frightens. Also there is a great new and very welcome introduction, in which King, now many years later, briefly talks about modern horror movies. This book contains some great ideas about the genre and is a good listen for those who enjoy time spent there.

While not as interesting and deep as On Writing: A Memoir of Craft, King's Danse Macabre (Death Dance) is filled with some interesting anecdotes. This is also an update of the original from 1981, with updated references to Inglorious Basterds and Drag Me To Hell. Its a lot of rambling, but there are some interesting gems from the modern horror King.

I thought I was buying a real Steven King novel. Not. I never was so bored. I am a child of the 50's- 60"s and have been there, seen that, done that! So much for my good ole Steven King Horror movie, which I sorley wanted. I had to speed (hear) read and each chapter I did this faster. Sure wasted my money here. I listened to Under the Dome and 11-22-63 and was greatly impressed. I was going to read the rest of his 70 some books a little at a time. Not anymore.

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